Themes and insights drawn from the 2026 National Baha’i Convention

Delegates at the 2026 National Baha’i Convention have been reminded that it is through striving that a vibrant, prosperous and unified community can be built. 

Member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Australasia, Reena Torabi, shared that the concept of striving, when viewed through the lens of the Baha’i Faith and the guidance of its international governing body, takes on new meaning.

She closed the 2026 National Baha’i Convention by emphasising that while the world was “swelling in turmoil”, it was the efforts of the well-wishers of humanity that helped build a society shaped by unity, equality and love. A letter on behalf of the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith Shoghi Effendi states: 

This year’s National Convention explored how individuals, institutions and communities – the three protagonists of society – are exerting effort and striving to implement the goals of the Nine Year Plan in a variety of settings. The Nine Year Plan is one of the first in a series of ambitious plans for the worldwide Baha’i community, spanning the next quarter-century, which focuses on “a single aim: the release of the society-building power of the Faith in ever-greater measures.” 

“What a wonderful journey we’ve been on together – reflecting and consulting together on the experience with the application of the framework of the Nine Year Plan in this country.” Miss Torabi said at the culmination of the Convention. 

Here are some of the key themes explored during the three days:  

Teaching efforts  

In its 31 December 2025 message to the Conference of the Continental Board of Counsellors, the international governing body of the Baha’i Faith, the Universal House of Justice, states: 

Much was shared at the Convention about the efforts being made across Australia to share the unifying vision of Baha’u’llah and the Baha’i Faith with more people. Delegates remarked on how their communities were engaging families and groups in their local community-building processes and strengthening their capacity to acquaint more souls with the mission of building vibrant and unified communities. It was noted that some local governing Baha’i bodies are taking on more systematic approaches to learn specifically about the conversations and conditions that are leading to people’s entrance into such processes and into the Faith in particular.

The movement of clusters and learning from the most advanced clusters  

The Convention heard insights, learning and experience from delegates in settings where the community-building process is rapidly advancing, particularly in the country’s urban localities. Delegates shared how families were coming together, creatively engaging youth through special programs dedicated to social transformation, and empowering the young people in their communities to raise their capacities to serve in various roles, including teachers of spiritual educational activities. Delegates in communities such as Mount Druitt, Hampton Park, and Mernda shared how their areas were acting as reservoirs of learning and insight for nearby neighbourhoods to support the educational processes further afield. 

Engagement in social transformation and discourse  

Reflections about how communities are improving some aspect of the life of their community through their own efforts were a highlight of the Convention. Delegates spoke about initiatives creating spaces for conversations, connection and collaboration, especially with civic leaders and organisations. Vignettes from mental health endeavours in Perth, through to seniors’ groups in the Gold Coast, tutoring in Hampton Park, and crochet groups in remote Albany demonstrated how the community was becoming “self-perpetuating”. “There is an emerging capacity in the community to be a visible protagonist of the Plan,” Miss Torabi said. 

The role of the institutions 

Miss Torabi said a healthy and flourishing community can be likened to the human body. She likened the institutions of the Faith to nerves, and the individuals to the muscles.  

Miss Torabi noted that it was important for muscles to provide the strength, but that if it was not coordinated it could lead to chaos. “But a sense of over-control can lead to rigidity,” she said. “There needs to be a balance between chaos and rigidity.”  

This analogy provided delegates with a lens through which to consult about how the institutions are working alongside the community and individuals – the three protagonists of society – to propel the spiritual educational endeavours of the Faith forward across the country. 

A shift in the nature of the consultation 

There were no recommendations made to the national governing body of the Baha’i Faith at this year’s National Convention. It was remarked that this demonstrated a shift in the nature of consultation at the Convention – one which was focused on grassroots action and learning from direct experience.